Innersole for boots and shoes and method of making the same



J. L. HAWKINS. INNEHSOLE FOR BOOTS AND SHOES AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME.

APPLICATION HLED DEC. 13. I916.

Patented Aug. 3, 1920.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN L. HAWKINS, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOB TO ARMSTRONG CORK COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

IN'N'ERSOLE FOR BOOTS AND SHOES AND METHOD OF MAKING THE To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN L. HAwnINs, a citizen of the United States residing at Cincinnati, Hamilton county, Ohio, have invented'a new and useful Improvement in Innersoles for Boots and Shoes and Methods of Making the Same, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the acoompanylngdrawings, forming part of this specification, 111 Which-- Figure 1 is a plan view, partly broken away, of one form of inner sole embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectlon through a portion of a boot or shoe embodying one form of my improved inner sole, and

Fig. 3 1s a view similar'to Fig. 2, but showing a modification.

My invention is designed to provide an improved inner sole. for leather boots and shoes, which will be substantially waterproof and non-absorbent, and which will possess various other qualities WhlCl]. are desirable in inner soles.

In accordance with my invention I form an inner sole of a composition consistin mainly of granulated or comminuted cor and linseed oil, or their equivalents. This composition is rolled out into sheets between two layers of canvas, which are largely rolled into and embedded in the composition. The inner soles are cut to the usual shape from these sheets.

The numeral 2 designates the body portion of one of my improved inner soles, and 3 the canvas sheets between which the comosition is rolled. 4 designates the usual ange or welt rib on the under side of the inner sole, and which is used in the welt or Goodyear type of shoes indicated in Fig. 2, for the urpose of securing thereto the welts 5 to whichthe outer sole 6 is sewed. Inasmuch as the composition of which my improved insole is composed is not of sufiicient stren th or body to permit this flange or rib to In formed integrally therefrom, it is necessa to form it as a separate piece. It may consist of any suitable strip, such as shown in Fig. 2, secured by stitching, as indicated, to the inner sole, and having fitted over it a fabric covering which also preferably covers the entire lower surface of the inner sole, as also shown in Fig. 2.

In this manner I am able to use my inven- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 3, 1920.

Application filed December 18, 1916. Serial No. 188,637.

tion in the manufacture of inner soles for shoes of this type and in which it is necessa that the sole shall have the rib on the un erside. 7 designates the usual filling between the outer and inner soles.

Fig. 3 shows one of my improved inner soles applied to a straight sewed (McKay style) shoe.

The composition which may be employed in the formation of my improved inner sole will generally consist in the main of comminuted or granulated cork and boiled linseed oil. As a partial or entire substitute for cork may be used wood flour and as a partial or entire substitute for linseed oil may be used any other drying or semi-drying oil. Coloring pigments will be added as required. An excellent specific formula for the purpose may be made as follows seventy-five pounds linseed oil (prepared and treated so as to form what is known in factory practice as cement); and one hundred ounds granulated cork.

This material is not only substantially waterproof and non-absorbent, but it possesses the necessary resiliency, 1s ractically non-expansible and non-contracti le, thereby preserving its shape. It is also flexible and durable, has a good bod and its use largely prevents squeaking in boots or shoes.

Its substantially waterproof or water resistant and non-absorbent qualities are, however, the most important.

I may also provide the .upper surface of the inner sole with a varnished coating, which may be made to closely imitate leather in color and texture. When this is done, the leather sock lining which is frequently fitted into a shoe over the inner sole to give it a more finished appearance may be omitted. Any suitable varnish having the desired color igment added thereto may be emplo ed? claim:

1. As a new article of manufacture, an inner sole for shoes consisting of a layer of cork composition having woven fabric united to the upper and lower faces of the cork composition by pressure, portions of the intermediate cork composition being pressed into and partially impregnatin the abric layers, substantially as describe 2. As a new article of manufacture, an inner sole for shoes cut from a sheet of comminuted cork composition rolled with upper and lower layers of woven fabric united with the comminuted cork composition layer by the ressure of forming the sheet, portions of the intermediate composition being forced into the said fabric layers, one of the fabric layers having an external coating, substantially as described.

s a new article of manufacture, an insole for shoes consisting of upper and lower layers of fabric, and an intermediate filling composed mainly of comminuted cork and linseed oil in the proportions of about seventy-five pounds of linseed oil preared and treated so as to form what is nown in factory practice as cement, and one hundred pounds cork; substantially as described.

4. As a new article of manufacture, an inner sole for shoes cut from a compressed sheet, comprisin an intermediate layer of comminuted corfi composition having top and bottom layers of woven fabric united with an intermediate cork layer in the compression of the sheet so as to be artially impregnated therewith, substantial y as described.

5. The method of making soles for shoes,

consisting in simultaneously feedin between compressin rollers upper and ower layers of woven abric and an intermediate layer of comminuted cork composition,

.firmly uniting the layers as they pass between the compressing rollers by causing the cork composition to partially impregnate the fabric, and cutting insoles from the sheets thus produced, substantially as described.

6. As a new article of manufacture, an innersole for shoes cut from a sheet of comminuted cork composition rolled between upper and lower ayers of woven fabric united therewith by the ressure of forming the sheet, portions 0 the intermediate composition being forced into said fabric layers, one of the fabric layers having a leather imitation coating applied thereto, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN L. HAWKINS. Witnesses:

E. J. HEINERBUGH, LIDA KELLER. 

